Jacksonville's Wayne Ezell will be honored Wednesday with a Ride of Silence. He was killed while bicycle riding in 2016.

The Florida Times-Union

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Wednesday marks a worldwide Ride of Silence to remember bicyclists who have been killed while riding.

A police escorted bicycle ride is being held Wednesday evening in Jacksonville in honor of local rider Wayne Ezell. Ezell, who died at age 72, was killed in a crash with a motorist while cycling in Iowa in 2016.

Ride of Silence route. Click the map to enlarge it.

Credit North Florida Bicycle Club

Ezell was a former reader advocate and editorial writer for The Florida Times-Union. He also served on the North Florida Bicycle Club’s Board of Directors.

Wednesday’s ride is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Riverside Arts Market location under the Fuller Warren Bridge after a 6:55 p.m. safety briefing and a 6:45 p.m. sign-up.

The Wayne Ezell Memorial Pedaling for Safety Ride of Silence’s six mile route will wind through Brooklyn to the stadium area with a brief stop at Hemming Park before heading back to the Arts Market.

Helmets are required and lights are recommended. If the weather doesn't cooperate there will be a brief ceremony in place of the ride under the Fuller Warren Bridge, according to local organizer Mark Atkins.

All 50 states took part in last year’s Ride of Silence with 390 locations worldwide, according to the organization's website.

The ride is being held during National Bike Month which seeks to showcase the many benefits of bicycling.

The recent death of former Times-Union editorial writer Wayne Ezell shocked and saddened many in Jacksonville.

The 72-year-old Ezell died last week after his bicycle was struck by a pickup truck in Iowa. He was taking part in an annual seven-day Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, the oldest, largest and longest bicycle touring event in the world.